The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: They Can’t Take That Away From Me

The song of the day for Saturday, September 13, 2025, is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 Fred Astaire – Ginger Rodgers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs that Astaire introduced in his films, there was no dance number associated with “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” Astaire and Rodgers finally danced to “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” in their final film, The Barkleys of Broadway, released in 1949. It is one of the Gershwin brother’s finest love songs. George Gershwin died just two months after this film was released.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” on October 16, 1967, for the album For Once In My Life. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.

This video contains today’s song as performed in both Shall We Dance and The Barkleys of Broadway.

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Song of the Day: Get Happy

The song of the day for Sunday, July 6, 2025, is “Get Happy.”

About This Lyricist

We’ll be featuring the work of Ted Koehler in our occasional look at lyricists. As Koehler and Harold Arlen worked together for many years, our songs for the next few days will mostly been written with Harold Arlen. I trust that won’t be a problem. 🙂

About This Song

“Get Happy” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1930 The Nine-Fifteen Revue, where it was introduced by Ruth Etting. Most people today are more familiar with Judy Garland’s wonderful song and dance performance in the 1950 film Summer Stock.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Get Happy” live at Royal Albert Hall on January 31, 1971, with The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Robert Farnon. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement. The album of the concert, Get Happy With The London Philharmonic Orchestra, was released in September 1971.

“Get Happy,” as well as Get Happy with The London Philharmonic Orchestra, is available on Apple Music.

You can’t talk about the song “Get Happy” without visiting the 1950 film Summer Stock, starring Judy Garland and Gene Kelly.

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Song of the Day: Baby Don’t You Quit Now

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 2, 2025, is “Baby Don’t You Quit Now.”

About This Song

“Baby Don’t You Quit Now” was written in 1967 by Jimmy Rowles and Johnny Mercer. In the booklet for Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett wrote “This song is one of Ella Fitzgerald’s favorites, and a fun song to perform. It was written by Jimmy Rowles and Johnny Mercer. It always runs through my brain.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Baby Don’t You Quit Now” on November 25, 1968, for his album I Gotta Be Me, released in 1969. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Baby Don’t You Quit Now,” as well as I Gotta Be Me, is available on Apple Music.

Since Tony Bennett mentioned Ella Fitzgerald, I to check out that recording and thought you might enjoy it too; I know I did. She recorded in 1990 for her last studio album, All That Jazz. Harry “Sweets” Edison played the trumpet on this record.

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Song of the Day: Play It Again, Sam

The song of the day for is “Play It Again, Sam.”

About This Song

“Play It Again, Sam” was written by Larry Grossman and Hal Hackaday for Woody Allen’s 1969 play also named Play It Again, Sam, where a nebbish film reviewer is coached in his lackluster love life with tips from his alter ego, Humphrey Bogart. The play starred Allen, Diane Keaton and Tony Roberts, all of whom reprised their roles in the 1972 film version. And, to be clear, no one ever said “play it again, Sam” in the film Casablanca.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Play It Again, Sam” on March 27, 1969, for his album I’ve Gotta Be Me. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Play It Again, Sam,” as well as I’ve Gotta Be Me, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Home is the Place

The song of the day for Friday, June 13, 2025, is “Home is the Place.”

About This Song

“Home is the Place” was written by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim in 1960. After Gypsy opened in 1959, Styne expressed an interest in their continuing to work together, resulting in “Home is the Place” and “Come Over Here.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Home is the Place” on April 16, 1968, for the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain, featuring an arrangement by Torrie Zito. Based on my research, this appears to be the only recording of “Home is the Place.”

“Home is the Place,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available on Apple Music.